In this week's edition of ESPN's AFL Power Rankings, there's a clear gap between the competition's best five teams, the chasing pack, and then the rest. The Dogs jump up to second while the Eagles and Tigers fall harshly after their poor results.
Note: Throughout the year, ESPN will rank all 18 teams, from top to bottom, taking into account which teams are playing the best footy, injuries, each team's recent opponents, and which teams are looking most like flag contenders.
Previous rankings (prior to): Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 | Round 8 | Round 9 | Round 10 | Round 11 | Round 12 | POST BYE |
1. Melbourne
2021 record: 12-2
Previous ranking: 1
The Demons hang onto top spot ... just. Their win over Essendon wasn't overly convincing, but then again, they really haven't had dominant performances all year. They grind out wins professionally, and while it wasn't a 10-goal spanking, it's enough to keep them at the No. 1 spot.
This week's opponent: GWS (MCG)
2. Brisbane
2021 record: 10-4
Previous ranking: 2
Brisbane's form since their horror start has been stellar. Thursday night's victory over Geelong was as impressive as you'll see from a side vying for the right to call themselves a premiership fancy, and it just seems they're clicking on every line.
This week's opponent: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval*)
3. Western Bulldogs
2021 record: 11-3
Previous ranking: 4
If there's anything negative to take away from the Bulldogs' Perth demolition of West Coast it's that they could have won it by 100+ points - not that their percentage is in a dire spot anyway (they have the best percentage of any side in the AFL). With key players to come back in the coming weeks, they may top the Power Rankings again soon.
This week's opponent: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
4. Geelong
2021 record: 10-4
Previous ranking: 3
They'd been doing so much right, but an ill-fated trip to the Gabba against the Lions has shown that even Geelong are fallible by quick transition through the corridor. They were flag favourites heading into last week, but expect the market to readjust after their Thursday night shocker.
This week's opponent: Essendon (GMHBA Stadium)
5. Port Adelaide
2021 record: 10-4
Previous ranking: 5
Were Port lucky to come away with the four points against the Swans? Or was it only a Buddy special in the fourth term that kept the Swans in it? Either way, when you're relying on your ruckman to kick winning goals in the last two minutes, it's probably not the best sign, even if it's against a fellow 'contender'.
This week's opponent: Hawthorn (Marvel Stadium)
6. Sydney
2021 record: 8-6
Previous ranking: 8
For all the ups and downs we've seen from the Swans in the last six weeks or so, they're at 8-6 and only just lost to the Power last week. Buddy's in ominous form and they're due to get some players back from injury. We're backing them to beat the Eagles in Geelong this week.
This week's opponent: West Coast (GMHBA Stadium)
7. Richmond
2021 record: 7-7
Previous ranking: 6
TWO goals in an entire match? Shorter quarters, right? Nope. That was Richmond's worst performance under Damien Hardwick in five years, and it set off alarm bells for many who still clung to hope the Tigers would win this year's flag. We're not sure they've got it in them, despite their soft run home.
This week's opponent: Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium)
8. West Coast
2021 record: 8-6
Previous ranking: 7
Is there a more frustrating 'good' team than West Coast. We talk about their home form being incredible, then they throw up a performance like they did against the Bulldogs last week. We think they're poor on the road, but in the past month they've been ... fine! Even more frustrating is that Liam Ryan has been suspended for a week for his bump on Jason Johannisen. They must slide this week.
This week's opponent: Sydney (GMHBA Stadium)
9. Essendon
2021 record: 6-8
Previous ranking: 9
Holding 9th spot is Essendon after their (ultimately) narrow loss to Melbourne at the MCG. We're seeing enough from the Bombers to keep us interested, but are they a bona fide finals chance? We're just not sure.
This week's opponent: Geelong (GMHBA Stadium)
10. Fremantle
2021 record: 7-7
Previous ranking: 12
That's a strong road win from the Dockers. Beating the Magpies in Melbourne (even if at Marvel Stadium) isn't the easiest thing for interstate sides to do, and to see Freo do it after trailing in the fourth term is even more heartening. What's more - it was their role players who put the finishing touches on the result.
This week's opponent: Carlton (GMHBA Stadium)
11. GWS
2021 record: 6-7-1
Previous ranking: 10
Poor stuff from the Giants, losing to the Hawks, after many talked them up as a finals bolter. They have the pieces, but patchy performances make you wonder if the gap between their best and their worst is the widest in the AFL.
This week's opponent: Melbourne (MCG)
12. St Kilda
2021 record: 6-8
Previous ranking: 14
Gutsy win from St Kilda, who completely nullified the Tigers and had premiership players playing catch-up all night. They move up a couple of spots, but competition for these 'spots of mediocrity' between about 9 and 14 in the rankings is tight.
This week's opponent: Collingwood (MCG)
13. Adelaide
2021 record: 5-9
Previous ranking: 11
There were some positives for the Crows in their loss to Carlton ... they really should have been more accurate, especially early. However their inability to nullify Carlton in the second term, when the Blues piled on eight goals, was cause for major concern. After a week at No. 11 in the Rankings, they fall back down.
This week's opponent: Brisbane (Victoria*)
14. Carlton
2021 record: 5-9
Previous ranking: 15
This is the Carlton their fans expected to see more of in 2021. The eight-goal-quarter Blues blitz was entrancing, and, really, quite frustrating to watch given we just don't see it enough from one of this season's biggest disappointments. Never fear, however; the external review kicked off this week ... whatever that means.
This week's opponent: Fremantle (GMHBA Stadium)
15. Collingwood
2021 record: 4-10
Previous ranking: 13
You could make a strong case Collingwood choked against the Dockers, and, well, it could have been three wins on the trot. Yes, they fall back two spots, but as we've said, the quality of teams between, say, 9th and 15th is pretty similar. Really just making up the numbers.
This week's opponent: St Kilda (MCG)
16. Hawthorn
2021 record: 4-10
Previous ranking: 17
Stirring win from the Hawks, and with two injuries, and with their lesser lights leading them home. Can they make it back-to-back wins in Shaun Burgoyne's 400th (and against his old club!)? It's unlikely, but these sort of milestone games always seem to bring out the best in teams.
This week's opponent: Port Adelaide (Marvel Stadium)
17. North Melbourne
2021 record: 2-11-1
Previous ranking: 18
Tick that box - a win over the Suns is exactly what we wanted to see and, it's what they delivered. Cam Zurhaar is chugging along, Jy Simpkin, Tarryn Thomas and Nick Larkey are in form, and the veterans are playing good footy as well.
This week's opponent: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium)
18. Gold Coast Suns
2021 record: 4-10
Previous ranking: 16
We said it last week - a loss to the Kangaroos would result in the Suns tumbling to the bottom of the Power Rankings and here we are. Check out their run home, too - will they win another game all year? We're not sure.
This week's opponent: Richmond (Marvel Stadium)